JP2012173861A - Content automatic updating system, image forming apparatus, and proxy server - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a content automatic updating system automatically determining Web contents that a user often uses based on latest Web contents of the Web contents that the user has browsed and printed, and automatically acquiring the latest information of the determined Web contents that the user often uses, and to provide an image forming apparatus and a proxy server.SOLUTION: Contents of a Web server 4 browsed by means of a PC 100 by a user are converted into print data by a printer driver 106 and transmitted to an image forming apparatus 200. The image forming apparatus 200 extracts feature words from the print data and transmits them to a content database server 300, then receives a recommendation URL list for the user from the content database server 300 and checks the update of the recommendation URL list.

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic content updating system, an image forming apparatus, and a proxy server.

  Conventionally, users connect to the Internet from a personal computer and browse Web contents on the Internet.

  Then, the user prints the browsed Web content on an image forming apparatus connected via a network.

  In Patent Document 1, in a Web content printing apparatus, once printed Web content and a URL are stored in a storage unit, either the content stored in the storage unit, the latest content acquired from the URL, or the stored print data. A printing apparatus that selects and prints and a control system therefor are described.

JP 2008-269159 A

  Content that automatically determines the recommended web content for the user based on the web content that the user browses and prints, and automatically acquires the latest information of the recommended web content for the determined user An object is to provide an automatic update system, an image forming apparatus, and a proxy server.

  In order to achieve the above object, the content automatic update system according to claim 1 includes a browsing terminal on which content on the Internet is browsed by an operator and a database, and information on the content browsed on the browsing terminal. Content information acquisition means for acquiring the feature word extraction means for extracting a feature word representing the feature of the content based on the information acquired by the content information acquisition means, and the database recommends to the operator Having recommended content determining means for determining recommended content, which is content on the Internet, based on the feature word extracted by the feature word extracting means, and the recommended content determined by the recommended content determining means URL storage means for storing the URL corresponding to the operator, and stored by the URL storage means Configured to and a update confirmation means for confirming the updating of the content to be connected at that URL.

  Further, in the invention of claim 2, in the invention of claim 1, the content information acquisition unit acquires the title of the content browsed by the browsing terminal or the text of the content, and the feature word extraction unit includes: The feature word is configured to be extracted based on the title or the text.

  The invention of claim 3 is the invention of claim 1 or 2, wherein the database has storage means for storing the content corresponding to the feature word in advance, and the recommended content determination means is the feature. The recommended content is determined by selecting the content corresponding to the feature word extracted by the word extraction unit from the storage unit.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the storage means is configured to store a plurality of the contents corresponding to the feature words.

  The invention of claim 5 is the invention of claim 3 or 4, wherein the storage means is configured to store the content corresponding to a plurality of the feature words.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the update confirmation unit is configured to periodically confirm the update.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the update confirmation unit is configured to confirm the update at a predetermined time.

  The invention according to claim 8 further includes an image forming apparatus on which printing is performed according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the browsing terminal prints the content browsed by the operator. Print data transmitting means for transmitting data and identification information of the operator to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus converts the information of the content browsed by the operator at the viewing terminal to the print data. The content information acquisition unit that is acquired based on the print data transmitted by the transmission unit, and the feature word extraction unit that extracts a feature word representing the feature of the content based on the content information acquired by the content information acquisition unit. And the feature word transmitting means for transmitting the feature words extracted by the feature word extracting means to the database, and the database has Receiving the recommended content determined by the recommended content determination means from the database, storing the URL of the recommended content corresponding to the operator, connection means for connecting to the Internet, and The update confirmation means for confirming the update of the content by connecting to the Internet by a connection means, and the recommended content determination means included in the database is based on the feature word sent by the feature word transmission means. Configured to determine recommended content.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 8, wherein the content information acquisition means is the connection means based on the URL of the content included in the print data of the content transmitted by the print data transmission means. The content information is obtained from the connection destination by connecting to the URL on the Internet.

  Further, the invention of claim 10 is the page of the content in which the update is confirmed when the update confirmation unit confirms the update of the content in the invention of claim 8 or 9. An update page printing unit that acquires and prints information is configured.

  The invention according to claim 11 is the invention according to claim 8 or 9, wherein when the update confirmation unit confirms the update of the content, the image forming apparatus confirms the update of the page of the content. It is configured to have an update page transmitting means for acquiring information and transmitting the page information to the viewing terminal by e-mail.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the eighth or ninth aspect, the image forming apparatus confirms the update when the update of the content is confirmed by a server and the update confirmation unit. Server registration means for registering a list of contents in the server is further included.

  The invention according to claim 13 is the display according to claim 12, in which the browsing terminal is connected to the server of the image forming apparatus and displays a list of the contents registered by the server registration unit. It is comprised so that it may further have a means.

  The invention according to claim 14 is configured such that, in the invention according to claim 12 or 13, the image forming apparatus further includes display means for displaying the list of contents registered by the server registration means on a display unit. Is done.

  The invention of claim 15 further comprises a proxy server that connects to the content on the Internet that the operator has instructed to browse on behalf of the browsing terminal in the invention of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the proxy The server receives from the browsing terminal a browsing request for the content that the operator has instructed to browse and the identification information of the operator, and connects to the content on the Internet based on the browsing request received by the receiving unit And page information acquisition means for acquiring the page information of the content, page information transmission means for transmitting the page information acquired by the page information acquisition means to the browsing terminal, and browsing by the operator at the browsing terminal. The content information that is acquired based on the page information acquired by the page information acquisition means. An acquisition unit; a feature word extraction unit that extracts a feature word representing the feature of the content based on the content information acquired by the content information acquisition unit; and a feature word extracted by the feature word extraction unit Receiving the URL of the recommended content determined by the recommended word determination unit of the database and the recommended content determination unit of the database from the database, and corresponding the URL of the recommended content content to the operator The URL storage means for storing and the update confirmation means, and the recommended content determination means included in the database determines the recommended content based on the feature word sent by the feature word transmission means, The browsing terminal receives the page information transmitted by the page information transmitting means, and the operator browses the page information. It constituted the contents shown as having a display means for displaying on the display unit on the basis of the page information.

  The invention of claim 16 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising an image forming apparatus that performs printing, and the proxy server updates the content when the update confirmation unit confirms the update of the content. The image forming apparatus further includes transmission means for transmitting the page information of the content for which the content has been confirmed to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus receives the page information transmitted by the transmission means and prints the content. Configured as follows.

  According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the fifteenth aspect, the proxy server further includes conversion means for converting data into print data that can be printed by the image forming apparatus, and the transmission means includes the update. When the update of the content is confirmed by the confirmation unit, the page information of the content for which the update is confirmed is converted into print data by the conversion unit and transmitted to the image forming apparatus. The print data transmitted by the transmission means is received and the content is printed.

  The invention according to claim 18 is the invention according to claim 15, wherein when the update confirmation unit confirms the update of the content, the proxy server electronically outputs page information of the content confirmed to be updated. An update page transmitting means for transmitting to the browsing terminal by mail is further included.

  The invention according to claim 19 is the invention according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the page information is file data or HTML data exchanged by FTP.

  Further, in the invention of claim 20, in the invention of claim 16, when the update confirmation unit confirms the update of the content, the proxy server stores and saves the list of the content confirmed to be updated. And a content list storage and storage means.

  The invention according to claim 21 is the invention according to claim 20, wherein the browsing terminal is connected to the proxy server and displays the list of contents stored and stored by the content list storage storing means of the proxy server. It is comprised so that it may further have a content list display means.

  According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the twentieth aspect of the invention, the image forming apparatus is connected to the proxy server and displays the list of contents stored and stored by the content list storage / storage means of the proxy server. And a content list display means.

  According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a receiving unit that receives print data of content on the Internet browsed by an operator at a browsing terminal; and the operator based on the print data received by the receiving unit. Content information acquisition means for acquiring information on the browsed content, feature word extraction means for extracting a feature word representing the feature of the content based on the information on the content acquired by the content information acquisition means, and the feature Feature word transmission means for transmitting the feature words extracted by the word extraction means to a database connected via a communication line, and contents on the Internet recommended to the operator determined based on the feature words in the database. Recommended content receiving means for receiving recommended content from the database, and the recommended content URL storage means for storing the URL of the recommended content received by the receiving means corresponding to the operator, connection means for connecting to the Internet, and connecting to the Internet by the connection means and stored by the URL storage means Update confirmation means for confirming the update of the recommended content is provided.

  According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the twenty-third aspect of the present invention, when the update confirmation unit confirms the update of the content, the page information of the content confirmed to be updated is acquired and printed. A page printing means is further provided.

  The proxy server of the invention of claim 25 is a browsing request receiving means for receiving, from the browsing terminal, a browsing request for content on the Internet that is instructed by the operator to browse on the browsing terminal, and the identification information of the operator, Based on the browsing request received by the browsing request receiving unit, the page information acquisition unit is connected to the content on the Internet and acquires the page information of the content, and the page information of the content acquired by the page information acquisition unit is the browsing Page information transmission means for transmitting to the terminal, content information acquisition means for acquiring information of the content viewed by the operator on the browsing terminal based on the page information acquired by the page information acquisition means, and the content information acquisition A feature that represents the feature of the content based on the content information acquired by the means. Feature word extracting means for extracting words, feature word transmitting means for transmitting the feature words extracted by the feature word extracting means to a database connected via a communication line, and the database determined based on the feature words Recommended content receiving means for receiving recommended content, which is content on the Internet recommended for an operator, from the database, and a URL of the recommended content received by the recommended content receiving means is stored corresponding to the operator. URL storage means, and update confirmation means for confirming the update of the recommended content stored in the URL storage means.

  According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the invention, in the twenty-fifth aspect of the invention, when the update confirmation unit confirms the update of the content, the page information of the content confirmed to be updated is connected through a communication line. The printing apparatus is further provided with a print data transmitting unit that converts the print data into print data that can be printed by the image forming apparatus and transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the update of the content on the Internet recommended to the user is confirmed.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the update of the content on the Internet recommended to the user is confirmed.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the update of the content on the Internet recommended to the user is confirmed.

  According to the invention of claim 4, there is an effect that a plurality of recommended contents are determined from one feature word.

  According to the invention of claim 5, recommended content is determined from a plurality of feature words.

  According to the invention of claim 6, the update of the content on the Internet recommended to the user is periodically confirmed.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, confirmation of updating of contents on the Internet recommended for the user is performed at a predetermined time.

  According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the recommended content is determined based on the print data of the content transmitted to the image forming apparatus.

  According to the invention of claim 9, the update of the content on the Internet recommended to the user is confirmed.

  According to the invention of claim 10, there is an effect that the recommended content whose update has been confirmed is automatically printed.

  According to the invention of claim 11, there is an effect that the recommended content whose update has been confirmed is transmitted to the viewing terminal by e-mail.

  According to the invention of claim 12, the update of the content on the Internet recommended to the user is confirmed.

  According to the thirteenth aspect of the invention, there is an effect that the recommended content whose update has been confirmed is displayed on the viewing terminal.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that the recommended content whose update has been confirmed is displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus.

  According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the proxy server confirms the update of the content on the Internet recommended to the user.

  According to the sixteenth aspect of the invention, there is an effect that the recommended content whose update has been confirmed by the proxy server is printed by the image forming apparatus.

  According to the invention of claim 17, there is an effect that the recommended content whose update is confirmed by the proxy server is printed by the image forming apparatus.

  According to the invention of claim 18, there is an effect that the recommended content confirmed to be updated is transmitted to the viewing terminal by e-mail.

  According to the invention of claim 19, the update of the recommended content of the file data or HTML data exchanged by FTP is confirmed.

  According to the invention of claim 20, the proxy server confirms the update of the content on the Internet recommended to the user.

  According to the twenty-first aspect of the invention, there is an effect that the recommended content whose update has been confirmed is displayed on the viewing terminal.

  According to the twenty-second aspect, there is an effect that the recommended content whose update has been confirmed is displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus.

  According to the twenty-third aspect, the recommended content is determined based on the print data of the content transmitted to the image forming apparatus.

  According to the invention of claim 24, there is an effect that the recommended content whose update has been confirmed is automatically printed.

  According to the invention of claim 25, the update of the content on the Internet recommended to the user is confirmed by the proxy server.

  According to the twenty-sixth aspect, there is an effect that the recommended content whose update is confirmed by the proxy server is printed by the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an automatic content printing system 1. Example 1 FIG. 2A is a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus 200, and FIG. 2B is a functional block diagram of the content database server 300. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing PDL data. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the extraction logic for feature word extraction. FIG. 5 is a table showing an example of a database stored in the storage unit 303. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing performed in the content automatic printing system 1. FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of the content automatic printing system 10. (Example 2) FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the proxy server 400. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing performed in the content automatic printing system 10.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, an automatic content printing system 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an automatic content printing system 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the content automatic printing system 1 is a terminal where a user browses content on the Internet 2 (hereinafter referred to as Web content. Web content includes the meaning of a Web site). The personal computer 100, the image forming apparatus 200, and the content database server 300 are connected to the communication line 3 so that they can communicate with each other.

  Since the communication line 3 is connected to the Internet 2, Web content is browsed from a personal computer 100 (hereinafter referred to as PC (100)).

  Of course, it is possible to connect a plurality of personal computers connected to the communication line 3 to the content automatic printing system 1, and a personal computer 100-1 having the same function as the PC (100) is connected to the communication line 3. A user different from the PC (100) can send a web content print instruction from the personal computer 100-1 to the image forming apparatus 200.

  A Web server 4 and an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server 5 exist on the Internet 2, and contents on these servers are browsed from the PC (100).

  Therefore, the Web content browsed from the PC (100) includes content on the Web server 4 and content on the FTP server 5.

  A PC (100) is a personal computer having a display unit 101, an input unit 102, a calculation unit 103, a control unit 104, and a storage unit 105.

  The display unit 101 is configured by a display, and displays information such as a result calculated by the calculation unit 103 to a user of the PC (100).

  The input unit 102 includes a mouse and a keyboard, and an instruction is input to the instruction PC (100) by a user of the PC (100).

  The calculation unit 103 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and executes calculation according to instructions from the control unit 104.

  The control unit 104 includes a CPU and controls the calculation unit 103.

  The storage unit 105 includes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like, and includes a printer driver 106 of the image forming apparatus 200 and a Web browser 107 for browsing Web contents. Remember.

  The image forming apparatus 200 includes a CPU (201), a RAM (202), a ROM (203), a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as a communication I / F together with the drawings) 204, an HDD (205), a display / operation unit 206, printing. An execution unit 207 is included.

  A CPU (201) controls the image forming apparatus 200 in an integrated manner.

  The RAM (202) is a rewritable volatile storage device, and temporarily stores system variables and the like for operating programs stored in the ROM (203).

  A ROM (203) is a non-volatile memory and stores a program for operating the image forming apparatus 200, and the like.

  The communication I / F (204) is connected to the communication line 3 and exchanges information via the communication line 3.

  An HDD (205) is a rewritable nonvolatile memory that spools image data to be printed and stores a recommended URL (Uniform Resource Locator) list for each user.

  The display / operation unit 206 is composed of a liquid crystal touch panel, receives instructions from the user, and displays information to the user.

  The print execution unit 207 includes a print engine, prints image data on paper, and discharges it.

  The content database server 300 includes a calculation unit 301, a control unit 302, and a storage unit 303.

  The calculation unit 301 is composed of a CPU, and executes calculations according to instructions from the control unit 302.

  The control unit 302 is constituted by a CPU and controls the calculation unit 301.

  The storage unit 303 includes a storage device such as a RAM, a ROM, and an HDD, stores a program, a database, and the like that operate the content database server 300, and also functions as a work memory area when the program is executed. .

  In the content automatic printing system 1 configured as described above, when the user browses the Web content on the PC (100) and issues a print instruction to print the Web content on the image forming apparatus 200, the print data is formed as an image. Sent to the device 200.

  Receiving the print data for printing the Web content, the image forming apparatus 200 performs printing, extracts the feature word of the Web content instructed to print from the print data, and sends the feature word to the content database server 300.

  The content database server 300 to which the feature word is sent creates a recommended URL list that is a list of URLs recommended for the user who has browsed the Web content by operating the PC (100) based on the feature word.

  The recommended URL list is a list indicating URLs of Web contents recommended for users who have browsed the Web contents from which the feature words that have been created are extracted.

  The recommended URL list created by the content database server 300 is sent to the image forming apparatus 200 and is stored for each user in the image forming apparatus 200.

  Then, the image forming apparatus 200 checks whether or not the Web content described in the recommended URL list to be saved has been updated at a set time (for example, periodically). Processing such as obtaining and printing the updated Web content data is performed.

  Next, functions of the image forming apparatus 200 and the content database server 300 will be described with reference to FIG.

  2 is a block diagram illustrating some functions of the image forming apparatus 200 and the content database server 300, and FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating some functions of the image forming apparatus 200. (B) is a block diagram showing some functions of the content database server 300. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the image forming apparatus 200 has a content information acquisition function 251, a feature word extraction function 252, a recommended URL list storage function 253, a Web function 254, and an update confirmation function 255.

  A content information acquisition function 251 shown in FIG. 2A is a function for acquiring Web content data browsed by the user. The image forming apparatus 200 obtains Web content data from print data sent from the PC (100). This is done by acquiring. The content information acquisition function 251 is performed under the control of the CPU 201.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 200 is compatible with pull print printing in which a URL is sent from the PC (100), and the Web content of the URL can be acquired from the Internet 2 and printed. Therefore, in the case of pull print printing, the content information acquisition function 251 is performed when the Web function 254 acquires the Web content of the URL based on the URL sent from the PC (100).

  A feature word extraction function 252 shown in FIG. 2A extracts feature words from Web content data acquired by the content information acquisition function 251. The feature word extraction function 252 is performed under the control of the CPU 201.

  The feature words extracted from the Web content are words that represent the features of the Web content. For example, the words that appear most frequently in the Web content can be used as the feature words.

  Here, the feature word extraction function 252 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing PDL (Page Description Language) data sent from the PC (100) to the image forming apparatus 200.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the PDL data describes the user name of the user who logged in to the PC (100) that sent the PDL data, the URL of the Web content to be printed, the title of the Web content to be printed, etc. Text data of the Web content to be printed is described.

  For the PDL data, for example, languages such as PostScript and PCL are used.

  The feature word extraction function 252 can extract words that appear most frequently in the text data as feature words based on the text data of the Web content described in the PDL data. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, since the word “baseball” is the most frequently contained in the text data of the Web content described in the PDL data, the feature word extraction function 252 uses the feature word of the Web content as “baseball”. ".

  In addition, the feature word extraction function 252 converts the text content of the Web content described in the PDL data into the text data described in the PDL data by a method other than using the word / phrase most frequently included in the text data of the Web content described in the PDL data as a feature word. Based on this, feature words of the Web content may be extracted.

  The feature word extraction function 252 can also extract feature words by the following method.

  A method of extracting feature words by the feature word extraction function 252 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing extraction logic for extracting feature words in the image forming apparatus 200.

  When the image forming apparatus 100 receives print data (PDL data) sent from the PC (100), the CPU 201 checks whether or not user identification information is included in the print data (PDL data) (step 401). .

  If the user identification information is included (YES in step 401), the feature word extracted from the information is managed by the CPU 201 as the feature word of the web content browsed by the user identified by the user identification information (step 402). ). That is, the user identification information is temporarily stored in the RAM 202.

  If the user identification information is not included in step 401 (NO in step 401), the feature word extracted from this is managed by the CPU 201 as the feature word of the Web content browsed by the guest ( Step 403). That is, information indicating that it is treated as a guest is temporarily stored in the RAM 202.

  Then, the CPU 201 confirms whether the print data received by the image forming apparatus 100 includes metadata (step 404).

  If metadata is not included (NO in step 404), the dedicated plug-in stored in the HDD 205 is transmitted to the PC (100) (step 406), and the dedicated plug is connected to the Web browser 107 of the PC (100). In, and have web content print instructions re-executed. The Web browser 107 in which the dedicated plug-in is embedded embeds Web content information as metadata in print data for printing the Web content. The dedicated plug-in may have a function of automatically extracting feature words of the Web content to be printed and embedding the feature words as metadata in the print data together with information indicating the feature words. Good.

  If metadata is included in step 404 (YES in step 404), the CPU 201 acquires the metadata.

  The metadata is the URL of the Web content instructed to be printed, the title of the Web content, or a characteristic word of the Web content.

  If the metadata is a URL (YES in Step 407), the image forming apparatus 200 uses the Web function 254 to access the Web content indicated by the metadata URL (Step 408).

  The image forming apparatus 200 accesses the Web content indicated by the metadata URL, and acquires HTML data of the Web content.

  The feature word extraction function 252 of the image forming apparatus 200 extracts a feature word from the title of the Web content indicated by the metadata URL (step 409).

  When the Web content indicated by the URL of the metadata is accessed, the feature word extraction function 252 basically extracts the feature word from the title of the Web content, but also extracts the feature word from the text of the Web content. (Step 409).

  If the metadata is not a URL in step 407 (NO in step 407), the CPU 201 confirms whether the metadata is the title of the Web content (step 410).

  If the metadata is the title of the Web content (YES in step 410), the feature word extraction function 252 extracts a feature word from the title (step 409).

  If the metadata is not the title of the web content in step 410 (step 410 NO), the CPU 201 acquires the feature word of the web content from the metadata (step 411).

  In this manner, the feature word of the Web content is extracted (or acquired) by the feature word extraction function 252.

  As a method for extracting feature words from the title and text of Web content, for example, the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-73681 (paragraphs 0062 to 0195) can be used, but other methods may be used. .

  The recommended URL list storage function 253 shown in FIG. 2A stores the recommended URL list sent from the content database server 300 in the HDD (205) and saves it. The recommended URL list storage function 253 stores the recommended URL list for each user who has browsed the Web content from which the feature word based on which the recommended URL list is created by the content database server 300 is viewed. save. The determination of the user performed by the image forming apparatus 200 is based on the identification information of the PC (100) included in the print instruction of the Web content sent from the PC (100), or the user identification information that has been logged into the PC (100) and issued the print instruction. Can be done by:

  A Web function 254 shown in FIG. 2A connects to the Internet 2 and acquires Web content with a specified URL. For example, when the specified URL is the Web server 4, an HTML (HyperText Markup Language) document of the Web content is acquired using HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol), and the specified URL is the FTP server 5. In this case, a file of Web contents is acquired using FTP (File Transfer Protocol). In order for the Web function 254 to function, the image forming apparatus 200 stores in the HDD 205 a program for acquiring HTML from the Web server 4 using HTTP and a program for acquiring a file from the FTP server 5 using FTP. ing. Then, the CPU 201 calls the program to the RAM 202 and is controlled by the CPU 201 to perform the web function 254.

  The update confirmation function 255 shown in FIG. 2A performs a process of confirming whether or not Web content in the recommended URL list stored by the recommended URL list storage function 253 has been updated. The image forming apparatus 200 stores a program for executing update confirmation in the HDD 205, the CPU 201 calls the program to the RAM 202, and the update confirmation function 255 is controlled by the CPU 201.

  The timing and method of the update confirmation function 255 confirming the update of the Web content in the recommended URL list will be described.

  First, the timing for confirming the update will be described. The image forming apparatus 200 can perform the update confirmation function 255 at the following time.

  For example, the image forming apparatus 200 can perform the update confirmation function 255 immediately after the image forming apparatus 200 is turned on and started.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 200 can perform the update confirmation function 255 at a time preset in the image forming apparatus 200.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 200 can perform the update confirmation function 255 when the user gives an instruction by pressing the update confirmation button displayed on the display / operation unit 206.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 200 displays an EWS (embedded Web server) screen included in the image forming apparatus 200 on the screen of the Web browser 107 of the PC (100), and an update confirmation displayed on the EWS screen. The update confirmation function 255 of the image forming apparatus 200 can be performed when the user operating the button (100) presses and designates the button.

  Further, since the recommended URL list is stored for each user, the image forming apparatus 200 recommends the recommended URL corresponding to the user when printing the print data sent from the user corresponding to the stored recommended URL list. The update of the list can be confirmed, and the updated Web content can be printed. By making the update confirmation time as such, the user can also obtain the printed web content updated when the user picks up the printed product at the image forming apparatus 200. It is convenient without becoming.

  Also, the image forming apparatus 200 confirms the login status of the PC (100), and if the PC (100) is logged in, it is recommended that the user be present and that the user be present. The frequency of URL list update confirmation can be increased.

  Also, the image forming apparatus 200 confirms the login status of the PC (100), and if the PC (100) is not logged in, it is recommended that the user is not present and that the user is supported. The frequency of URL list update confirmation can be reduced, or the load on the image forming apparatus 200 can be reduced without performing update confirmation.

  The image forming apparatus 200 confirms the login status using an appropriate protocol for confirming the login status of the PC (100). For example, the image forming apparatus 200 can use MIB (Management Information Base) information using SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) or the like to confirm the login status.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 200 performs the update confirmation function 255 and confirms the update of the Web content in the recommended URL list when the print execution unit 207 finishes the print state and enters the idling state. Can be. By causing the update confirmation function 255 to be performed at such a time, the image forming apparatus 200 can perform update confirmation in a state where the print execution unit 207 is not operating, and can reduce the load on the CPU 201. .

  Further, the image forming apparatus 200 stores the past updated record in the HDD 205 for each recommended URL, and the image forming apparatus 200 predicts the update timing of each recommended URL based on the record. The prediction can be reflected in the time when the update is confirmed. In other words, in the case of a recommended URL in which past updated records are frequently updated, the update interval of the next update can be predicted to be short, so that the image forming apparatus 200 performs update confirmation frequently. Can be.

  In addition, in the case of a recommended URL that is updated infrequently (for example, Web content whose previous update is six months ago), the update interval of the next update can be predicted to be long, so the image forming apparatus 200 is updated. It is possible to perform the interval at a low frequency (increase the update confirmation interval).

  At such a time, the image forming apparatus 200 can perform the update confirmation function 255.

  Next, a method for the update confirmation function 255 to confirm the update of the Web contents in the recommended URL list will be described.

  The update confirmation function 255 can confirm whether the Web content is updated based on the value of the Last-Modified field of the HTTP header received from the Web server 4 by the Web function 254. Since the Last-Modified field describes the last update date and time, the update confirmation function 255 stores the date and time when the Web content of the recommended URL list is updated in the HDD 205, and the date and time and the Last-Modified field. It is possible to confirm whether or not a new update has been performed by comparing with the last update date and time acquired in step (1).

  In addition, the update confirmation function 255 sends a request including the If-Modified-Since field to the Web server 4 that manages the Web content of the recommended URL list, and based on the response from the Web server 4, It can be confirmed whether or not the content has been updated from a specified date and time. For example, the update confirmation function 255 describes the designated date and time in the If-Modified-Since field and sends it to the Web server 4. If the reply is “200 OK”, the update is confirmed after the designated date and time. If the reply is “304 Not Modified”, it can be confirmed that it has not been updated after the designated date and time.

  In addition, the update confirmation function 255 acquires file attribute information using an LIST command or NLST command that is an FTP command. If the file attribute information includes a file update date and time and a file size, the update confirmation function 255 It can be confirmed whether or not it has been updated based on this. For example, when the file update date is included in the file attribute information, if there is a change compared to the file update date acquired at the time of the previous update check, it is determined that a new update has been performed, If the file size is included in the file attribute information, if there is a change compared to the file size acquired at the previous update confirmation, it is determined that a new update has been performed.

  In addition, the update confirmation function 255 can confirm whether the Web content in the recommended URL list has been updated using RSS (Really Simple Syndication).

  In the document described in RSS, the title, address, heading, summary, update time, etc. of each page of the Web content (Web site) are described. Therefore, by acquiring the RSS information of the Web content (Web site) included in the recommended URL list, it can be confirmed whether or not the Web content (Web site) has been updated. Specifically, based on the RSS feed sent from the Web content (Web site) included in the recommended URL list, when the RSS feed includes a new title different from the previous one, the Web content (Web site) ) Can be confirmed as updated.

  By such a method, the update confirmation function 255 can confirm the update of the Web content (Web site) of the recommended URL list.

  The content database 300 has a recommended URL list creation function 351 as shown in FIG.

  Here, the recommended URL list creation function 351 of the content database 300 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a table showing an example of a database stored in the storage unit 303 by the content database 300. FIG. 5A shows a recommended URL list creation function 351 when a recommended URL is created from one feature word. FIG. 5B is a table showing an example of a database used by the recommended URL list creation function 351 when a recommended URL is created from a plurality of feature words. .

  The recommended URL list creation function 351 of the content database 300 creates a recommended URL list based on the feature words received from the image forming apparatus 200.

  The recommended URL list creation function 351 stores a database for associating the received feature words with Web content in the storage unit 303.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, when there is one feature word and the feature word is “tennis”, a recommended URL corresponding to the feature word “tennis” is stored in the database. There is. Therefore, the recommended URL list creation function 351 determines a recommended URL corresponding to the feature word from the database. As shown in FIG. 5A, the recommended URL corresponding to the feature word may be plural instead of one.

  Further, the feature word may be configured by a logical sum. That is, as shown in FIG. 5A, the recommended URL corresponding to the case where the feature word is “skating” or “ice hockey” is “http://ddd.com” is stored in the database. ing. Therefore, when the feature word is “skate” or “ice hockey”, the recommended URL list creation function 351 determines the recommended URL as “http://ddd.com” based on the stored contents of the database. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, even when there are a plurality of feature words, recommended URLs corresponding to the plurality of feature words are stored in the database of the content database 300. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the feature words are “sports” and “Yahoo”, the recommended URLs corresponding to “sports” and “Yahoo” are “http: // spots. Since it is stored in the database as "yahoo.co.jp/", it becomes a feature word.

  And as shown in FIG.5 (b), even when there are a plurality of feature words, those feature words may be constituted by a logical sum. In other words, as shown in FIG. 5B, when one of the feature words is “baseball” or “baseball” and another feature word is “Hanshin” or “Tigers”, it is stored in the database. Based on the contents, the recommended URL is determined to be “http://hanshintigers.jp/”.

  Next, processing performed in the content automatic printing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing performed in the content automatic printing system 1.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the content automatic printing system 1, Web content is browsed on the PC (100) (step 601).

  A user who browses the Web content by operating the PC (100) issues a desired Web content print instruction from the Web browser 105 (step 602).

  When a web content print instruction is issued on the PC (100) (step 602), print data (PDL data) of the web content instructed to be printed is created by the printer driver 106 and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 200.

  The print data (PDL data) transmitted from the PC (100) includes user identification information for identifying a user who has logged in to the PC (100) and instructed printing.

  Further, the print data (PDL data) transmitted from the PC (100) includes device identification information such as a MAC address and a computer name for identifying the PC (100) from other personal computers connected to the communication line 3. It may be.

  The image forming apparatus 200 receives print data from the PC (100) (step 603).

  The print data received by the image forming apparatus 200 is, for example, PDL data as described with reference to FIG.

  Upon receiving the print data, the image forming apparatus 200 prints the print data with the print execution unit 207, and extracts a feature word of the Web content instructed to be printed based on the received print data (step 604). .

  The feature word extraction performed by the image forming apparatus 200 is performed by the feature word extraction function 252.

  As described above, the feature word extraction function 252 uses the method of extracting feature words based on the text data of the Web content described in the print data, or the extraction logic as described with reference to FIG. Extract words.

  The image forming apparatus 200 extracts the feature word of the Web content instructed to be printed by the feature word extraction function 252, and then the content database server together with the user identification information included in the print data received in step 603. It transmits to 300 (step 605).

  The content database server 300 receives the feature word together with the user identification information from the image forming apparatus 200 (step 606).

  As described with reference to FIG. 5, the content database server 300 creates a recommended URL list based on the received feature word by the recommended URL list creation function 351 (step 607).

  After creating the recommended URL list, the content database server 300 transmits the created recommended URL list to the image forming apparatus 200 together with the user identification information received in step 606 (step 608).

  Upon receiving the recommended URL list and user identification information from the content database server 300 (step 609), the image forming apparatus 200 stores and stores the received recommended URL list in the HDD 205 for each user based on the user identification information (step 610). ).

  When the recommended URL list for each user is stored and saved in the HDD 205, the image forming apparatus 200 performs the following predetermined operation (step 611).

  That is, one of the predetermined operations of the image forming apparatus 200 performed in Step 611 is that the Web function 254 of the image forming apparatus 200 accesses the Web content in the recommended URL list stored and saved in Step 610 and the Web content The print execution unit 207 executes printing.

  Also, one of the predetermined operations of the image forming apparatus 200 performed in step 611 is that the Web function 254 of the image forming apparatus 200 accesses the Web content of the recommended URL list stored and saved in step 610 to access and acquire it. The web content HTML data is converted to a PDF (Portable Document Format) file or the like and sent to the PC (100) as an email attachment.

  Also, one of the predetermined operations of the image forming apparatus 200 performed in step 611 is to generate a thumbnail image of the Web content in the recommended URL list stored and saved in step 610, and the image forming apparatus 200 has the thumbnail image. The information is displayed on the display / operation unit 206 using an EWS (embedded Web server). When the thumbnail image is displayed on the display / operation unit 206, the user operating the image forming apparatus 200 selects a desired thumbnail image from the display / operation unit 206, so that the desired Web content is displayed on the print execution unit 207. Can be printed. When displaying Web content using EWS (embedded Web server), instead of displaying the thumbnail image of the Web content, the Web content is displayed by another display method (such as displaying the title of the Web content). May be displayed on the display / operation unit 206 using EWS.

  Also, one of the predetermined operations of the image forming apparatus 200 performed in step 611 is to generate a thumbnail image of the Web content in the recommended URL list stored and saved in step 610, and the image forming apparatus 200 has the thumbnail image. Using the EWS (embedded Web server), the Web browser 107 displays on the display unit 101 of the PC (100). For the user who operates the PC (100), the browser 107 of the PC (100) displays the EWS (embedded Web server) of the image forming apparatus 200 and confirms the thumbnail image of the Web content in the recommended URL list. Can do. At that time, the user operating the PC (100) selects a desired Web content from the thumbnail images displayed on the Web browser 107, and prints the Web content of the selected thumbnail image on the image forming apparatus 200. Can be made. When displaying Web content on the display unit 101 of the PC (100) using EWS (embedded Web server), instead of displaying thumbnail images of the Web content, another display method (Web content Web content may be displayed on the display unit 101 of the PC (100) using EWS.

  In addition, one of the predetermined operations of the image forming apparatus 200 performed in step 611 is that the recommended URL list stored and stored in step 610 is described in an e-mail with e-mail software of the image forming apparatus 200 and the PC (100 ). At that time, the user operating the PC (100) to which the e-mail is sent designates the desired Web content from the EWS (embedded Web server) thumbnail image displayed on the browser 107 of the PC (100) as described above. Thus, the designated Web content can be printed on the image forming apparatus 200. Also, the user operating the PC (100) that has received the recommended URL list by e-mail goes to the image forming apparatus 200 and uses the EWS (embedded Web server) of the image forming apparatus 200 as described above. The desired web content can be designated from the display on the display / operation unit 206, and the designated web content can be printed on the image forming apparatus 200.

  Further, in association with the predetermined operation of the image forming apparatus 200 performed in step 611, the image forming apparatus 200 displays the recommended URL list using the EWS (embedded Web server) of the image forming apparatus 200. Depending on whether the client accessing the EWS (embedded Web server) is a mobile device or a personal computer, the display format of the recommended URL list displayed on the EWS (embedded Web server) can be varied. For example, when the accessing client is a mobile device, the recommended URL list is displayed as a simple text-based URL list, and when the accessing client is a personal computer, the recommended URL is displayed. The list includes thumbnail images of Web contents, and can be displayed on a rich display screen that is easy to see for the user by using a larger data capacity of the display screen than on a mobile device.

  With respect to the predetermined operation of the image forming apparatus 200 performed in step 611, it is possible to set in advance which predetermined operation is to be executed in the image forming apparatus 200, and the PC can be set through the EWS (embedded Web server). From (100), it is possible to set which predetermined operation is executed.

  Further, the setting of the predetermined operation of the image forming apparatus 200 performed in step 611 may be different for each user.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 200 that has received the recommended URL list from the content database server 300 performs a predetermined operation set in advance as step 611.

  Thereafter, in the image forming apparatus 200, the update confirmation function 255 performs a process of confirming whether the Web content described in the recommended URL list stored by the recommended URL list storage function 253 has been updated. The time when the update confirmation function 255 confirms the update of the Web content (the processing of step 613) is performed in accordance with the various times as described above in the description of the update confirmation function 255 with reference to FIG. It can be set in the forming apparatus 200.

  Here, a case will be described as an example in which the update confirmation function 255 periodically checks for updates as the time when the update confirmation function 255 confirms the update of Web contents.

  After a predetermined operation is performed in step 611 in the image forming apparatus 200, if a predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step 612), the update confirmation function 255 is stored in the HDD 205 by the recommended URL list storage function 253. Processing for confirming whether or not the Web content in the stored recommended URL list has been updated is performed (step 613).

  As a result of checking whether or not the web content has been updated in step 613, if it is confirmed that the web content has not been newly updated (NO in step 614), the process returns to step 612, and a predetermined time has passed again. Later, the update confirmation function 255 confirms the update.

  If it is confirmed in step 613 whether or not the Web content has been updated as a result of the confirmation (YES in step 614), the image forming apparatus 200 performs the process in step 615. Then, the following predetermined operation is performed.

  That is, one of the predetermined operations of the image forming apparatus 200 performed in step 615 is the Web function of the image forming apparatus 200 for the Web content that is confirmed to be newly updated as a result of the update confirmation in step 613. 254 is accessed, and the print execution unit 207 executes printing of the Web content.

  Also, one of the predetermined operations of the image forming apparatus 200 performed in step 615 is the Web function of the image forming apparatus 200 for the Web content that is confirmed to be newly updated as a result of the update confirmation in step 613. 254 is accessed, and the HTML data of the Web content obtained by accessing is converted into a PDF file or the like and sent as an email attachment to the PC (100).

  Also, one of the predetermined operations of the image forming apparatus 200 performed in step 615 is the Web function of the image forming apparatus 200 for the Web content that is confirmed to be newly updated as a result of the update confirmation in step 613. 254 accesses, generates a thumbnail image of the Web content acquired by accessing, and displays the thumbnail image on the display / operation unit 206 using an EWS (embedded Web server) included in the image forming apparatus 200. . When the thumbnail image is displayed on the display / operation unit 206, the user operating the image forming apparatus 200 selects a desired thumbnail image from the display / operation unit 206, so that the desired Web content is displayed on the print execution unit 207. Can be printed. When displaying Web content using EWS (embedded Web server), instead of displaying the thumbnail image of the Web content, the Web content is displayed by another display method (such as displaying the title of the Web content). May be displayed on the display / operation unit 206 using EWS (if a print instruction is given, a desired Web content is selected). In addition, when displaying Web content using EWS (embedded Web server), if there is a URL that has not been updated in the recommended URL list other than the Web content that has been confirmed to be updated, the update is confirmed. A thumbnail image, a title, or the like for the Web content may be displayed, or a thumbnail image, a title, or the like for the Web content including the Web content that has not been confirmed to be updated may be displayed.

  Also, one of the predetermined operations of the image forming apparatus 200 performed in step 615 is the Web function of the image forming apparatus 200 for the Web content that is confirmed to be newly updated as a result of the update confirmation in step 613. 254 accesses, generates a thumbnail image of the Web content obtained by accessing, and uses the thumbnail image to display on the display unit 101 of the PC (100) using the EWS (embedded Web server) of the image forming apparatus 200. It is displayed on the browser 107. For the user who operates the PC (100), the browser 107 of the PC (100) displays the EWS (embedded Web server) of the image forming apparatus 200 and confirms the thumbnail image of the Web content in the recommended URL list. Can do. At that time, the user operating the PC (100) selects a desired Web content from the thumbnail images displayed on the Web browser 107, and prints the Web content of the selected thumbnail image on the image forming apparatus 200. Can be made. When displaying Web content on the display unit 101 of the PC (100) using EWS (embedded Web server), instead of displaying thumbnail images of the Web content, another display method (Web content Web content may be displayed on the display unit 101 of the PC (100) using EWS (for example, a desired Web content is selected when printing is instructed). Also, when displaying Web content using EWS (embedded Web server), if the Web content that has been confirmed to be updated is one of a plurality of URLs in the recommended URL list, the recommended URL Thumbnail images, titles, etc. for Web contents with other URLs not updated in the list may be displayed together with the updated Web contents so that it becomes clear that they have not been updated, or updated. Only Web content that has been downloaded may be displayed.

  In addition, one of the predetermined operations of the image forming apparatus 200 performed in step 615 is that the recommended URL list is newly updated in the e-mail with the e-mail software that the image forming apparatus 200 has, and the PC ( 100).

  Also, one of the predetermined operations of the image forming apparatus 200 performed in step 615 is an electronic that the image forming apparatus 200 has a list of Web contents that are confirmed to be newly updated as a result of the update confirmation in step 613. It is written in an e-mail and sent to the PC (100) by mail software. At that time, the user who operates the PC (100) to which the e-mail is sent is newly updated from the EWS (embedded Web server) thumbnail image displayed on the browser 107 of the PC (100) as described above. The desired web content can be designated and the designated web content can be printed on the image forming apparatus 200. Also, the user operating the PC (100) that has received the recommended URL list by e-mail goes to the image forming apparatus 200 and uses the EWS (embedded Web server) of the image forming apparatus 200 as described above. From the display on the display / operation unit 206, the newly updated desired Web content can be specified, and the specified Web content can be printed on the image forming apparatus 200.

  Further, in association with the predetermined operation of the image forming apparatus 200 performed in step 615, the image forming apparatus 200 displays the recommended URL list using the EWS (embedded Web server) of the image forming apparatus 200. Depending on whether the client accessing the EWS (embedded Web server) is a mobile device or a personal computer, the display format of the recommended URL list displayed on the EWS (embedded Web server) can be varied. For example, when the accessing client is a mobile device, the recommended URL list is displayed as a simple text-based URL list, and when the accessing client is a personal computer, the recommended URL is displayed. The list includes thumbnail images of Web contents, and can be displayed on a rich display screen that is easy to see for the user by using a larger data capacity of the display screen than on a mobile device.

  Also, one of the predetermined operations of the image forming apparatus 200 performed in step 615 is whether the update confirmation function 255 of the image forming apparatus 200 has updated the Web content in the recommended URL list using RSS. When confirming, the newly added RSS feed sent from the Web content (Web site) in the recommended URL list is automatically accessed and acquired, and the acquired Web content is automatically printed. Alternatively, the URL of the newly added RSS feed sent from the Web content (Web site) in the recommended URL list may be described in an e-mail and transmitted to the PC (100) by e-mail. .

  As described above, the predetermined operation of the image forming apparatus 200 performed in step 615 can be set in the image forming apparatus 200 in advance, or can be set from the PC (100) through the EWS (embedded Web server). .

  Further, the setting of the predetermined operation of the image forming apparatus 200 performed in step 615 may be different for each user.

  As described above, when it is confirmed that the recommended URL list is newly updated (YES in step 614), a predetermined operation set in advance is performed as the processing in step 615.

  When the feature word extraction function 252 of the image forming apparatus 200 extracts a feature word from the print data, the HDD 205 stores a feature word history for each user (including guest treatment and can also be for each terminal). May be stored, and a feature word to be sent to the content database server 300 may be determined based on the history of the feature word. For example, feature words extracted from print data instructed to be printed by each user during a certain period, such as “10 job units” or “daily unit”, are stored as feature word histories, and the feature word histories are aggregated. Thus, a feature word to be sent to the content database server 300 is determined. In addition, when a feature word history is stored for each user (including guest treatment and also for each terminal), and a feature word to be sent to the content database server 300 is determined based on the history, When a certain period of time such as “10 job units” or “1 day unit” elapses, the feature word history accumulated in the last certain period is deleted once, and the feature words accumulated in the certain period this time have passed Based on this, a feature word to be sent to the content database server 300 may be determined. With this configuration, the feature word is determined based on the tendency of palatability in a specific period in the near future of the user (terminal in the case of each terminal). In addition, when a feature word history is stored for each user (including guest treatment and also for each terminal), and a feature word to be sent to the content database server 300 is determined based on the history, Even after a certain period of time such as “10 job units” or “1 day unit” has elapsed, the history after the feature accumulated up to the last certain period has not been deleted and accumulated for the certain period that has passed this time. The feature words to be sent to the content database server 300 may be determined based on the feature words and the feature words accumulated up to a certain period of time that has passed the previous time. By configuring in this way, feature words are determined based on a long-term preference tendency of a user (a terminal in the case of each terminal). In this case, it is possible to arbitrarily set which period of accumulated feature words is to be deleted.

  The recommended URL list storage function 253 has been described so as to store and save the recommended URL list for each user who has instructed to print Web content, but not only for each user but also for each terminal that has transmitted print data of Web content. The recommended URL list may be stored and saved (for each personal computer). In this case, the identification data for identifying the PC (100) is included in the print data sent from the PC (100) to the image forming apparatus 200, and the feature words sent from the image forming apparatus 200 to the content database server 300 are included. The identification information is given, and the identification information is given to the recommended URL list sent from the content database server 300 to the image forming apparatus 200. The image forming apparatus 200 receives the received recommended URL list for each identification information ( It is stored and saved in the HDD 205 for each terminal. In the case of storing and saving for each terminal as described above, when the update confirmation function 255 confirms the update of the recommended URL list when the print data sent from the terminal is printed, the image forming apparatus It is also possible to confirm the update of the Web content in the recommended URL list stored corresponding to the URL.

  In addition, as a process for confirming the update of the Web contents in the recommended URL list stored by the recommended URL list storage function 253, not only the update confirmation by the image forming apparatus 200 but also the update confirmation is performed by the PC (100). It can also be. At that time, the recommended URL list stored by the recommended URL list storage function 253 is transmitted to the PC (100) and stored in the storage unit 106 of the PC (100). The update confirmation software stored in the storage unit 106 of the PC (100) and controlled by the control unit 104 and resident during the operation of the PC (100) has not been updated in the Web content of the recommended URL list. Check regularly. When the update confirmation software of the PC (100) confirms that the Web content has been updated, the PC (100) displays a pop-up display on the display unit 101 indicating that the recommended URL list Web content has been updated. Is done. The user of the PC (100) can determine whether or not to print the Web content after confirming that the Web content of the recommended URL list has been updated by the pop-up display displayed on the display unit 101.

  As a process for confirming the update of the recommended URL list Web content stored in the recommended URL list storage function 253, when the Web content on the Web server 4 side or the FTP server 5 side existing on the Internet is updated. The fact of update confirmation can be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 200 or the PC (100). In that case, of course, the Web server 4 or the FTP server 5 stores and executes a program for transmitting the fact of the update confirmation to the image forming apparatus 200 or the PC (100) when the Web content is updated.

  The content automatic printing system 1 has been described so that the feature words extracted by the image forming apparatus 200 are transmitted to the content database server 300, and the content database server 300 creates a recommended URL list based on the feature words. After the image forming apparatus 200 extracts the feature words, the image forming apparatus 200 uses the Web function 254 to input the extracted feature words into a search engine (for example, Google, Yahoo) on the Internet 2 and perform a search. It is also possible to create a recommended URL list using the URLs searched as a result as recommended URLs. In that case, a recommended URL list can be created with a predetermined number of URLs as recommended URLs from the top of the search result by the search engine.

  6, when the Web content of the recommended URL displayed by the EWS (embedded Web server) of the image forming apparatus 200 is instructed to be printed by the user and printed in the processing of Step 611 and Step 615 in FIG. Or the printed Web content is stored in the storage unit 105 of the HDD 205 or PC (100) or the storage unit 302 of the content database server 300, and the stored information is displayed for the next recommended URL of the user, Alternatively, it can be used for updating a database stored in the storage unit 300 of the content database server 300. When used for displaying the next recommended URL of the user, for example, when displaying the recommended URL list of the user by EWS (including notification of the recommended URL list by e-mail) The Web content which is instructed to be printed by the user and stored in the HDD 205 or the like is displayed in a preferentially conspicuous place (displayed at the top of the list display). When the database is used to update the database, first, the feature word extraction function 252 of the image forming apparatus 200 extracts a plurality of feature words from the Web content that is instructed to be printed by the user and stored in the HDD 205. If the recommended URL corresponding to the extracted feature word is not recorded in the database of the content database 300, the Web content that is instructed to be printed by the user and stored in the HDD 205 is used as the extracted feature word. Update the database by recording it in the database as the corresponding recommended URL.

  When the update confirmation function 255 described with reference to FIG. 2 performs the update confirmation, the update confirmation function 255 confirms the update of the recommended URL and confirms that the update has been newly performed. Each operation described as a predetermined operation of the image forming apparatus 200 performed in step 615 described with reference to FIG.

  The recommended URL list storage function 253 has been described so that the recommended URL list created based on the feature word of the Web content that the user has instructed to print is stored. However, the recommended URL list storage function 253 stores the recommended URL list in the created recommended URL list. You may make it memorize | store in addition to URL of the web content which the user instruct | indicated printing.

  In the first embodiment, the system in which the apparatus on the automatic content printing system 1 directly accesses the Web server or the like of the Internet 2 has been described, but in the second embodiment, to the Web server or the like of the Internet 2 via the proxy server 400. A system in which access is performed will be described.

  First, the content automatic printing system 10 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing the content automatic printing system 10.

  In the second embodiment, a device having the same reference number as that used in the description of the first embodiment, and each component of the device has the same configuration as that described in the first embodiment unless otherwise specified. The description will be made assuming that it has a function. Further, the terminology (Web content etc.) used in the first embodiment will be described as having the same meaning in the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the content automatic printing system 10, a PC (100), an image forming apparatus 200, a content database server 300, and a proxy server 400 are connected to a communication line.

  In the content automatic printing system 10, as shown in FIG. 7, the PC (100), the image forming apparatus 200, and the content database server 300 are not directly connected to the Internet 2, and these apparatuses are connected via the proxy server 400. To connect to the Internet 2. That is, the proxy server 400 connects to the Internet 2 as a “proxy” in place of the PC (100), the image forming apparatus 200, and the content database server 300 that cannot be directly connected to the Internet 2.

  The proxy server 400 includes a calculation unit 401, a control unit 402, and a storage unit 403.

  The calculation unit 401 is composed of a CPU, and executes calculation according to instructions from the control unit 402.

  The control unit 402 is composed of a CPU and controls the arithmetic unit 401.

  The storage unit 403 is configured by a storage device such as a RAM, a ROM, and an HDD, stores a program for operating the proxy server 400, and serves as a work memory area when the program is executed. A recommended URL list or the like for each user (or even for each terminal) is stored.

  The storage unit 403 stores a printer driver 404 that generates print data (PDL data) of the image forming apparatus 200.

  In the content automatic printing system 10 configured as described above, first, a user operating the PC (100) browses Web contents on the Internet using the Web browser 107 of the PC (100). When browsing Web contents on the Internet performed from the PC (100), the PC (100) sends a URL desired to be browsed to the proxy server 400 (instructing browsing of the URL), and the proxy server 400 sends an HTML document of the URL. Is obtained from the Internet 2 and the obtained HTML document is sent from the proxy server 400 to the PC (100). When the URL desired to be browsed is sent from the PC (100) to the proxy server 400, the identification information of the user who has logged in to the PC (100) instructed to browse the URL or the terminal identification information of the PC (100) is stored in the PC. (100) to the proxy server 400.

  When a user operating the PC (100) acquires and browses Web content data (HTML document, file, etc.) on the Internet 2 via the proxy server 400, the proxy server 400 receives an instruction from the PC (100). Web content data acquired from the Internet 2 and transmitted to the PC (100) is acquired for each user (or for each terminal).

  Then, the proxy server 400 extracts feature words based on the acquired Web content data, and sends the extracted feature words to the content database server 300.

  The content database server 300 to which the feature word is sent generates a recommended URL list that is a list of URLs of the Web content recommended for the user who has browsed the Web content by operating the PC (100) based on the feature word. create.

  The recommended URL list created by the content database server 300 is sent to the proxy server 400 and stored in the storage unit 403 of the proxy server 400.

  Then, the proxy server 400 storing the recommended URL list confirms whether the Web content described in the recommended URL list has been updated at a set time (for example, a preset time).

  The proxy server 400 that has confirmed that the Web content in the recommended URL list has been updated causes the image forming apparatus 200 to print the updated Web content, or sends the updated Web content to the PC (100) by e-mail. Or send. Alternatively, the proxy server 400 that has confirmed that the Web content in the recommended URL list has been updated stores and stores the updated Web content data in the storage unit 403, and responds to an instruction from the image forming apparatus 200. Then, the “updated Web content” data stored and stored in the storage unit 403 is sent to the image forming apparatus 200.

  Next, functions of the proxy server 400 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating some functions of the proxy server 400.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the proxy server 400 has a content information acquisition function 801, a feature word extraction function 802, a recommended URL list storage function 803, a Web function 804, an update confirmation function 805, and a print function 806.

  The content information acquisition function 801 shown in FIG. 8 for acquiring content information is a function for acquiring data of Web content viewed by the user, and the proxy server 400 uses the Web of the Internet 2 based on an instruction from the PC (100). The HTML document or file acquired from the server 4 or FTP server 5 and sent to the PC (100) is acquired as Web content browsed by the user operating the PC (100). The content information acquisition function 801 is performed under the control of the control unit 402.

  A feature word extraction function 802 shown in FIG. 8 extracts feature words from the Web content data acquired by the content information acquisition function 801. The feature word extraction function 802 is performed under the control of the control unit 402.

  The feature words extracted from the Web content are words that represent the features of the Web content. For example, the words that appear most frequently in the Web content can be used as the feature words.

  The feature word extraction function 802 includes user identification information of a user who operates the PC (100) from the PC (100) when the PC (100) sends a URL browsing instruction to the proxy server 400, or terminal information of the PC (100). To get.

  The feature word extraction function 802 basically extracts a feature word from the Web content title acquired by the content information acquisition function 801.

  The feature word extraction function 802 can also extract a feature word from the text of the Web content from the Web content acquired by the content information acquisition function 801.

  Further, the feature word extraction function 802 can also extract, from the Web content acquired by the content information acquisition function 801, the phrase that is contained most in the text of the Web content as a feature word.

  As a method of extracting the feature word from the title or the text of the Web content by the feature word extraction function 802, for example, the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-73681 (paragraphs 0062 to 0195) can be used. May be used.

  The recommended URL list storage function 803 shown in FIG. 8 stores the recommended URL list sent from the content database server 300 in the storage unit 403 and stores it. The recommended URL list storage function 803 stores the recommended URL list for each user who has browsed the Web content from which the feature word based on which the recommended URL list is created by the content database server 300 is viewed. save. The determination of the user performed by the proxy server 400 can be performed based on the user identification information logged into the PC (100) or the identification information of the PC (100) sent when a URL browsing instruction sent from the PC (100) is given. It is.

  The Web function 804 shown in FIG. 8 connects to the Internet 2 based on the URL sent from the PC (100), the image forming apparatus 200, or the content database server 300, and the web content data (HTML document or file) of the sent URL. Etc.). For example, when the specified URL is the Web server 4, an HTML document of the Web content is acquired using HTTP, and when the specified URL is the FTP server 5, the Web content is acquired using FTP. Get the file. The proxy server 400 stores a program for acquiring HTML from the Web server 4 using HTTP and a program for acquiring a file from the FTP server 5 using FTP in order to cause the Web function 254 to function. is doing. Then, the Web function 804 is performed by the control unit 402 calling and controlling the program.

  The update confirmation function 805 shown in FIG. 8 performs a process of confirming whether or not Web content in the recommended URL list stored by the recommended URL list storage function 803 has been updated. The proxy server 400 stores a program for executing update confirmation in the storage unit 403, and the update confirmation function 805 is performed by the control unit 402 calling and controlling the program.

  The timing and method of the update confirmation function 805 confirming the update of the Web content in the recommended URL list will be described.

  First, the timing for confirming the update will be described. The proxy server 400 can perform the update check function 805 at the following time.

  For example, the proxy server 400 can perform the update confirmation function 805 immediately after the proxy server 400, the PC (100), and the image forming apparatus 200 are turned on and started.

  Further, the proxy server 400 can perform the update confirmation function 805 at a time (or date / time) preset in the proxy server 400.

  In addition, the proxy server 400 can periodically perform the update confirmation function 805 every time preset in the proxy server 400.

  Further, the proxy server 400 can perform the update confirmation function 805 when the user gives an instruction by pressing the update confirmation button displayed on the display / operation unit 206 of the image forming apparatus 200. At this time, when an update confirmation button displayed on the display / operation unit 206 of the image forming apparatus 200 is pressed, an instruction to confirm the update is sent to the proxy server 400, and the proxy server 400 confirms the update according to the instruction. To do.

  Further, the proxy server 400 displays an EWS (embedded Web server) screen of the image forming apparatus 200 on the screen of the Web browser 107 of the PC (100), and an update confirmation button displayed on the EWS screen. Is sent from the image forming apparatus 200 to the proxy server 400 when the user operating the PC (100) instructs to perform the update confirmation function 805 in the proxy server 400. be able to.

  Further, the proxy server 400 is updated when an update confirmation instruction is sent from the PC (100) to the proxy server 400 when the user presses and instructs an update confirmation button displayed on the display unit 101 of the PC (100). A confirmation function 805 can be performed.

When the image forming apparatus 200 prints the print data sent from the PC (100), the update confirmation function 805 confirms the update of the recommended URL list corresponding to the user (or terminal) instructing the printing. You can also. In this case, when the image forming apparatus 200 prints the print data, the CPU 201 acquires user identification information (or terminal identification information) of the user (or terminal) that transmitted the print data, and the CPU 201 sends the user identification information to the proxy server 400. An instruction for confirming update of the user identification information (or terminal identification information) and the recommended URL list of the user (or terminal) is sent. When the update confirmation function 805 confirms the update of the Web content, the HTML document of the Web content is converted into PDL data and sent to the image forming apparatus 200, and the Web content is printed by the image forming apparatus 200. By making the update confirmation timing of the update confirmation function 805 as such, the updated web content is printed when the user who has instructed printing from the PC (100) comes to the image forming apparatus 200 to obtain the print result. It is also possible to obtain a printed result, which is convenient without being troublesome.
Further, the proxy server 400 confirms the login status of the PC (100), and when the PC (100) is logged in, the recommended URL corresponding to the user is assumed to be present. The frequency of list update confirmation can be increased.

  Further, the proxy server 400 confirms the login status of the PC (100), and if the PC (100) is not logged in, it is assumed that the user is not present and the recommended URL corresponding to the user The load of the image forming apparatus 200 can be reduced without reducing the frequency of the list update confirmation or without performing the update confirmation.

  The proxy server 400 confirms the login status using an appropriate protocol for confirming the login status of the PC (100). For example, the proxy server 400 can use MIB information using SNMP or the like to confirm the login status.

Further, the proxy server 400 performs the update confirmation function 805 when the print execution unit 207 of the image forming apparatus 200 has finished the print state and then enters an idle state. Update confirmation can be performed.
In addition, the proxy server 400 stores a past updated record in the storage unit 403 for each recommended URL, and the update confirmation function 805 predicts the update timing of each recommended URL based on the record, The prediction can be reflected in the update confirmation time. That is, in the case of a recommended URL in which past updated records are frequently updated, the update interval of the next update can be predicted to be short, so that the update confirmation function 805 performs update confirmation frequently. Can be.

  In addition, in the case of a recommended URL in which past updated records are updated at a low frequency (for example, Web content whose previous update is half a year ago), it can be predicted that the update interval of the next update is also long. The update confirmation function 805 can perform the update interval at a low frequency (increase the update confirmation interval).

  Further, the proxy server 400 can cause the update confirmation function 805 to be performed when an update confirmation request is received from the image forming apparatus 200. The case where the image forming apparatus 200 transmits an update confirmation request to the proxy server 400 means that an update confirmation button displayed on the display / operation unit 206 of the image forming apparatus 200 is pressed by the user, or the image forming apparatus 200. In this case, an update confirmation request is automatically sent at a preset timing.

  At such a time, the proxy server 400 can cause the update confirmation function 805 to be performed.

  Next, a description will be given of a method in which the update confirmation function 805 of the proxy server 400 confirms update of the recommended URL list Web content.

  The update check function 805 can check whether the Web content is updated based on the value of the Last-Modified field of the HTTP header received from the Web server 4 by the Web function 804. In the Last-Modified field, since the last update date and time is described, the update confirmation function 805 stores the date and time when the Web content of the recommended URL list was updated in the storage unit 403, and the date and time By comparing with the last update date and time acquired in the Modified field, it can be confirmed whether or not it has been newly updated.

  Also, the update confirmation function 805 sends a request including an If-Modified-Since field to the Web server 4 that manages the Web content in the recommended URL list, and based on the response from the Web server 4 to the request, It can be confirmed whether or not the content has been updated from a specified date and time. For example, the update confirmation function 805 describes the designated date and time in the If-Modified-Since field and sends it to the Web server 4. If the reply is “200 OK”, the update confirmation function 805 is updated after the designated date and time. If the reply is “304 Not Modified”, it can be confirmed that it has not been updated after the designated date and time.

  In addition, the update confirmation function 805 acquires file attribute information by using an LIST command or NLST command that is an FTP command, and if the file attribute information includes a file update date and time or a file size, the information is included in the information. It can be confirmed whether or not it has been updated based on this. For example, when the file update date is included in the file attribute information, if there is a change compared to the file update date acquired at the time of the previous update check, it is determined that a new update has been performed, If the file size is included in the file attribute information, if there is a change compared to the file size acquired at the previous update confirmation, it is determined that a new update has been performed.

  In addition, the update confirmation function 805 can confirm whether the Web content of the recommended URL list has been updated using RSS.

  In the document described in RSS, the title, address, heading, summary, update time, etc. of each page of the Web content (Web site) are described. Therefore, by acquiring the RSS information of the Web content (Web site) included in the recommended URL list, it can be confirmed whether or not the Web content (Web site) has been updated. Specifically, based on the RSS feed sent from the Web content (Web site) included in the recommended URL list, when the RSS feed includes a new title different from the previous one, the Web content (Web site) ) Can be confirmed as updated.

  By such a method, the update confirmation function 805 can confirm the update of the Web content (Web site) in the recommended URL list.

  A print function 806 shown in FIG. 8 converts the Web content into PDL data by the printer driver 404 and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 200 when the Web content is printed on the image forming apparatus 200.

  Next, processing performed in the content automatic printing system 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing performed in the content automatic printing system 10.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the automatic content printing system 10, the PC (100) designates the URL of the Web content so that the user can browse the desired Web content (step 901).

  When the URL is specified on the PC (100) (step 901), the URL and the user identification information of the user who has logged in to the PC (100) (or the terminal identification information of the PC (100)) are stored in the proxy server 400. Sent.

  The proxy server 400 accesses the URL on the Internet 2 based on the URL received from the PC (100), and obtains Web content data (HTML document, file, etc.) of the URL (step 902).

  The proxy server 400 sends the Web content data (HTML document, file, etc.) acquired in step 902 to the PC (100), and the PC (100) sends the received Web content data (HTML document, file, etc.). ) Is opened by the web browser 107 and the web content of the URL specified by the user is displayed on the display unit 101 (step 903).

  In the proxy server 400, the feature word extraction function 802 extracts feature words based on the Web content data acquired in step 902 (step 904).

  Then, the proxy server 400 transmits the extracted feature word and user identification information (or terminal identification information of the PC (100)) sent from the PC (100) to the content database server 300 (step 905).

  In the content database server 300, the recommended URL list creation function 351 creates a recommended URL list based on the feature words sent from the proxy server 400 (step 907).

  The process of creating the recommended URL list by the recommended URL list creation function 351 of the content database server 300 has been described in the first embodiment with reference to FIGS.

  When the content database server 300 creates the recommended URL list, the content database server 300 transmits the recommended URL list created together with the user identification information received from the proxy server 400 (or the terminal identification information of the PC (100)) to the proxy server 400 (step). 908).

  When the proxy server 400 receives the user identification information (or terminal identification information of the PC (100)) and the recommended URL list (step 909), the proxy server 400 stores the recommended URL list received for each user (or for each terminal) in the storage unit 403. Store (step 910).

  After storing the recommended URL list in the storage unit 403, the proxy server 400 performs the following predetermined operation (step 911).

  That is, one of the predetermined operations of the proxy server 400 performed in step 911 is that the proxy server 400 accesses the web content in the recommended URL list stored in step 910 and causes the image forming apparatus 200 to print the web content. That is.

  Also, one of the predetermined operations of the proxy server 400 performed in step 911 is that the proxy server 400 accesses the Web content in the recommended URL list stored in step 910, and the Web content data acquired by accessing the PDF content is PDF. It is converted into a file or the like and sent as an email attachment to the PC (100).

  Also, one of the predetermined operations of the proxy server 400 performed in step 911 is to generate a thumbnail image of the Web content in the recommended URL list stored and saved in step 910, and proxy the Web page on which the thumbnail image is posted. A Web server included in the server 400 is stored. When the Web page on which the thumbnail image of the Web content in the recommended URL list is posted is stored in the Web server of the proxy server 400, the page is accessed from the PC (100) or the image forming apparatus 200. The page is displayed on the display unit 101 of the PC (100) or the display / operation unit 206 of the image forming apparatus 200. The PC (100) uses the Web browser 107 to access the Web server in the proxy server 400, accesses a page on which a thumbnail image of the recommended URL list is posted, and causes the Web browser 107 to display the page on the display unit 101. Then, the user who operates the PC (100) selects a desired thumbnail image from the page displayed on the display unit 101, thereby causing the image forming apparatus 200 to print the Web content corresponding to the selected thumbnail image. it can. When the user who operates the PC (100) selects a desired thumbnail image from the page displayed on the display unit 101 and issues a print instruction, the proxy server 400 displays Web content data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image. (HTML or the like) is converted into PDL data and sent to the image forming apparatus 200. Then, the image forming apparatus 200 prints Web content corresponding to the selected thumbnail image. Further, the image forming apparatus 200 accesses the Web server in the proxy server 400 by using the Web function 254, accesses a page on which the thumbnail image of the recommended URL list is posted, and displays the page on the display / operation unit 206. Let When the user operating the image forming apparatus 200 selects a desired thumbnail image from the page displayed on the display / operation unit 206 and issues a print instruction, the proxy server 400 corresponds to the selected thumbnail image. Web content data (such as HTML) is converted into PDL data and sent to the image forming apparatus 200. Then, the image forming apparatus 200 prints Web content corresponding to the selected thumbnail image. It should be noted that the Web server on which the thumbnail image of the Web content in the recommended URL list is not stored in the Web server included in the proxy server 400, but the Web content title or the like in the recommended URL list is described. The page may be saved.

  In addition, one of the predetermined operations of the image forming apparatus 200 performed in step 911 is that the recommended URL list stored and stored in step 910 is described in an e-mail with e-mail software of the proxy server 400 and the PC (100). To send to. At that time, as described above, the user operating the PC (100) to which the e-mail has been sent displays thumbnail images and the like from the page on the Web server of the proxy server 400 displayed on the browser 107 of the PC (100). The desired Web content can be designated after confirmation, and at that time, the designated Web content is printed by the image forming apparatus 200. In addition, the user who operates the PC (100) that has received the recommended URL list by e-mail goes to the image forming apparatus 200 and, as described above, the proxy displayed on the display / operation unit 206 of the image forming apparatus 200. A desired Web content can be designated by checking a thumbnail image or the like from a page on the web server of the server 400, and at that time, the designated web content is printed by the image forming apparatus 200.

  Further, in connection with the predetermined operation of the proxy server 200 performed in step 911, the recommended URL displayed on the Web server depending on whether the client accessing the Web server included in the proxy server 400 is a mobile device or a personal computer. The display format of the list can be changed. For example, when the accessing client is a mobile device, the recommended URL list is displayed as a simple text-based URL list, and when the accessing client is a personal computer, the recommended URL is displayed. The list includes thumbnail images of Web contents, and can be displayed on a rich display screen that is easy to see for the user by using a larger data capacity of the display screen than on a mobile device.

  Regarding the predetermined operation of the proxy server 400 performed in step 911, it is possible to set in advance which predetermined operation is to be performed by the proxy server 400, and the Web server included in the proxy server 400 It is possible to set which predetermined operation is to be performed from the PC (100) or the image forming apparatus 200 that accesses the.

  Further, the setting of the predetermined operation of the proxy server 400 performed in step 911 may be different for each user.

  As described above, the proxy server 400 that has received the recommended URL list from the content database server 300 performs a predetermined operation set in advance as step 911.

  Thereafter, in the proxy server 400, the update confirmation function 805 performs processing for confirming whether the Web content described in the recommended URL list stored by the recommended URL list storage function 803 has been updated. The time when the update confirmation function 805 confirms the update of the Web content (the processing of Step 913) is performed by proxying the various times as described above in the description of the update confirmation function 805 with reference to FIG. It can be set in the server 400.

  Here, a case where the update confirmation function 805 confirms update at a preset time will be described as an example when the update confirmation function 805 confirms the update of the Web content.

  When the proxy server 400 performs a predetermined operation in step 911 and then reaches a preset time (YES in step 912), the update confirmation function 805 stores the recommended URL list storage function 803 in the storage unit 403. A process for confirming whether or not the Web content in the recommended URL list has been updated is performed (step 913).

  As a result of confirming whether or not the content has been updated in step 913, if it is confirmed that the Web content has not been newly updated (NO in step 914), the process returns to step 912, and the set time is again set. Then, the update confirmation function 805 confirms the update.

  As a result of checking whether or not the content has been updated in Step 913, if it is confirmed that the Web content is newly updated (YES in Step 914), the proxy server 400 performs the processing in Step 915 as follows: The following predetermined operation is performed.

  That is, one of the predetermined operations of the proxy server 400 performed in step 915 is that the proxy server 400 accesses the Web content that is confirmed to be newly updated as a result of the update confirmation in step 913. Web content data is acquired and converted into PDL data, and the converted PDL data is sent to the image forming apparatus 200 for printing.

  Further, one of the predetermined operations of the proxy server 400 performed in step 915 is that the proxy server 400 accesses and accesses the Web content that is confirmed to be newly updated as a result of the update confirmation in step 913. The Web content data acquired in this way is converted into a PDF file or the like and sent as an email attachment to the PC (100).

  Further, one of the predetermined operations of the proxy server 400 performed in step 915 is that the proxy server 400 accesses and accesses the Web content that is confirmed to be newly updated as a result of the update confirmation in step 913. A thumbnail image of the Web content acquired in this way is generated, and the Web server in which the proxy server 400 has a Web page on which the thumbnail image is posted is stored. When the Web page on which the thumbnail image of the updated Web content is posted is stored in the Web server of the proxy server 400 (the storage area of this Web server is guaranteed by the storage unit 403, and the stored Web page is stored in the storage unit The page is accessed from the PC (100) or the image forming apparatus 200, and the page is accessed by the display unit 101 of the PC (100) or the display / operation unit 206 of the image forming apparatus 200. Is displayed. The PC (100) uses the Web browser 107 to access the Web server in the proxy server 400, accesses the page on which the thumbnail image of the updated Web content is posted, and causes the Web browser 107 to display the page on the display unit 101. . Then, the user who operates the PC (100) selects a desired thumbnail image from the page displayed on the display unit 101, thereby causing the image forming apparatus 200 to print the Web content corresponding to the selected thumbnail image. it can. When the user who operates the PC (100) selects a desired thumbnail image from the page displayed on the display unit 101 and issues a print instruction, the proxy server 400 displays Web content data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image. (HTML or the like) is converted into PDL data and sent to the image forming apparatus 200. Then, the image forming apparatus 200 prints Web content corresponding to the selected thumbnail image. Further, the image forming apparatus 200 accesses the Web server in the proxy server 400 by using the Web function 254, accesses a page on which the updated thumbnail image is posted, and causes the display / operation unit 206 to display the page. When the user operating the image forming apparatus 200 selects a desired thumbnail image from the page displayed on the display / operation unit 206 and issues a print instruction, the proxy server 400 corresponds to the selected thumbnail image. Web content data (such as HTML) is converted into PDL data and sent to the image forming apparatus 200. Then, the image forming apparatus 200 prints Web content corresponding to the selected thumbnail image. It should be noted that the Web server on which the thumbnail image of the Web content in the recommended URL list is not stored in the Web server included in the proxy server 400, but the Web content title or the like in the recommended URL list is described. The page may be stored (stored and stored in the storage unit 403) (when a print instruction is given, a title of a desired Web content is selected). In addition, when the Web page on which the updated Web content is posted is stored on the Web server included in the proxy server 400 (stored in the storage unit 403), it is recommended in addition to the Web content that has been confirmed to be updated. When there is a URL that has not been updated in the URL list, a Web page on which only the Web content that has been confirmed to be updated may be stored, or Web content that has not been confirmed to be updated may be included. The web page may be saved.

  In addition, one of the predetermined operations of the proxy server 400 performed in step 915 is that the recommended URL list is newly updated in the e-mail with the e-mail software of the proxy server 400, and the PC (100) To send to.

  In addition, one of the predetermined operations of the proxy server 400 performed in step 915 is an electronic mail software that the proxy server 400 has a list of Web contents that are confirmed to be newly updated as a result of the update confirmation in step 913. Is sent to the PC (100) by writing in an e-mail. At that time, the user operating the PC (100) to which the e-mail is sent is newly updated from the Web page stored in the Web server of the proxy server 400 displayed on the browser 107 of the PC (100) as described above. It is possible to designate desired web content updated and to cause the image forming apparatus 200 to print the designated web content. A user who operates the PC (100) that has received the recommended URL list by e-mail goes to the image forming apparatus 200 and is displayed on the display / operation unit 206 of the image forming apparatus 200 as described above. It is possible to specify the newly updated desired Web content from the Web page stored in the Web server included in the image and cause the image forming apparatus 200 to print the specified Web content.

  Further, in connection with the predetermined operation of the proxy server 400 performed in step 915, the recommended URL displayed on the Web server depending on whether the client accessing the Web server included in the proxy server 400 is a mobile device or a personal computer. The display format of the list can be changed. For example, when the accessing client is a mobile device, the recommended URL list is displayed as a simple text-based URL list, and when the accessing client is a personal computer, the recommended URL is displayed. The list includes thumbnail images of Web contents, and can be displayed on a rich display screen that is easy to see for the user by using a larger data capacity of the display screen than on a mobile device.

  Also, one of the predetermined operations of the image forming apparatus 200 performed in step 915 is that the update confirmation function 805 of the proxy server 400 confirms whether the Web content in the recommended URL list is updated using RSS. When a new URL is added, an RSS feed sent from the Web content (Web site) in the recommended URL list is automatically accessed and acquired, and the acquired Web content is automatically converted into PDL data. The URL of the newly added RSS feed sent from the Web content (Web site) of the recommended URL list is described in the e-mail and sent to the image forming apparatus 200 for printing, and the PC (100) is sent by e-mail. Can also be sent to.

  Further, one of the predetermined operations of the image forming apparatus 200 performed in step 915 is that the proxy server 400 accesses the Web content that is confirmed to be newly updated as a result of the update confirmation in step 913, The Web content data obtained by accessing is stored and saved in the storage unit 403. The updated Web content is stored in the storage unit 403 for each user corresponding to the recommended URL list including the Web content. Thereafter, when the Web content acquisition request of the recommended URL list is sent from the image forming apparatus 200 to the proxy server 400, the proxy server 400 transmits the Web content data stored in the storage unit 403 to the image forming apparatus 200. Further, at that time, the proxy server 400 accesses the Web content that is not stored in the storage unit 403 included in the recommended URL list by using the Web function 804, acquires the Web content data, and confirms the update. In addition to the Web content data stored in the storage unit 403, the Web content data that has not been confirmed to be updated is sent to the image forming apparatus 200. As a result, all the Web content data described in the recommended URL list is image-formed. You may make it send to the apparatus 200. FIG. Then, the image forming apparatus 200 that has sent a request for acquiring Web content in the recommended URL list to the proxy server 400 receives the Web content data from the proxy server 400 and prints the received Web content data by the print execution unit 207. To do. When the image forming apparatus 200 sends a Web content acquisition request for the recommended URL list to the proxy server 400, the Web content stored in the storage unit 403 is confirmed instead of the Web content data in the recommended URL list. The proxy server 400 sends the Web content data stored in the storage unit 403 to the image forming apparatus 200 in response to the request. Further, when the image forming apparatus 200 sends a request for acquiring Web contents of the recommended URL list to the proxy server 400, the proxy server 400 may request data of all WEB contents in the recommended URL list. Data of all Web contents in the recommended URL list according to the request is sent to the image forming apparatus 200. The processing performed by the image forming apparatus 200 that receives and acquires the Web content data stored in the storage unit 403 from the proxy server 400 is the same as that of the first embodiment, in addition to the processing of printing the received Web content. The processing for converting the acquired Web content data into a PDF file or the like and sending it as an email attachment to the PC (100), or the thumbnail image of the acquired Web content, described as processing performed by the image forming apparatus 200 performed in step 615. The process of generating and displaying on the display / operation unit 206 using the EWS (embedded Web server) and the process of selecting and printing a thumbnail image in that order are the same as those described in step 615. ZWS), EWS (embedded Web server) A process for causing the display / operation unit 206 to display using the URL (a process in which a title or the like is selected and printed corresponds to the contents described in step 615), and a recommended URL list is displayed. It is possible to perform processing for describing the new update in the e-mail and sending it to the PC (100), and for processing the list of the acquired Web contents in the e-mail and sending it to the PC (100). The details of the processing performed in the image forming apparatus 200 are in accordance with the contents described as the processing performed in step 615 of the first embodiment.)

  With respect to the predetermined operation of the proxy server 400 performed in step 915, it is possible to set in advance which predetermined operation is to be executed by the proxy server 400, and access to the Web server included in the proxy server 400 It is possible to set which predetermined operation is to be performed from the PC (100) or the image forming apparatus 200.

  Further, the setting of the predetermined operation of the proxy server 400 performed in step 915 may be different for each user.

  As described above, when it is confirmed that the recommended URL list is newly updated (YES in step 914), a predetermined operation set in advance is performed as the processing in step 915. When the feature word extraction function 802 of the proxy server 400 extracts the feature words from the print data, the storage unit 403 stores the feature words for each user (including guest treatment and can also be for each terminal). A history may be stored, and a feature word to be sent to the content database server 300 may be determined based on the history of the feature word. For example, feature words extracted from print data instructed to be printed by each user during a certain period, such as “10 job units” or “daily unit”, are stored as feature word histories, and the feature word histories are aggregated. Thus, a feature word to be sent to the content database server 300 is determined. In addition, when a feature word history is stored for each user (including guest treatment and also for each terminal), and a feature word to be sent to the content database server 300 is determined based on the history, When a certain period of time such as “10 job units” or “1 day unit” elapses, the feature word history accumulated in the last certain period is deleted once, and the feature words accumulated in the certain period this time have passed Based on this, a feature word to be sent to the content database server 300 may be determined. With this configuration, the feature word is determined based on the tendency of palatability in a specific period in the near future of the user (terminal in the case of each terminal). In addition, when a feature word history is stored for each user (including guest treatment and also for each terminal), and a feature word to be sent to the content database server 300 is determined based on the history, Even after a certain period of time such as “10 job units” or “1 day unit” has elapsed, the history after the feature accumulated up to the last certain period has not been deleted and accumulated for the certain period that has passed this time. The feature words to be sent to the content database server 300 may be determined based on the feature words and the feature words accumulated up to a certain period of time that has passed the previous time. By configuring in this way, feature words are determined based on a long-term preference tendency of a user (a terminal in the case of each terminal). In this case, it is possible to arbitrarily set which period of accumulated feature words is to be deleted.

  The recommended URL list storage function 803 has been described so as to store and save the recommended URL list for each user who has instructed to print Web content, but not only for each user but also for each terminal that has transmitted print data of Web content. The recommended URL list may be stored and saved (for each personal computer). At that time, identification information for identifying the PC (100) is sent from the PC (100) to the proxy server 400 together with the designation of the URL, and the characteristic word sent from the proxy server 400 to the content database server 300 is identified. The information is added, and the identification information is added to the recommended URL list sent from the content database server 300 to the proxy server 400. The proxy server 400 adds the received recommended URL list to each identification information (for each terminal). The data is stored in the storage unit 403.

  In addition, as a process for confirming the update of the Web content of the recommended URL list stored by the recommended URL list storage function 803, the update confirmation is performed not only by the image forming apparatus 200 but also by the PC (100). It can also be. At that time, the recommended URL list stored by the recommended URL list storage function 253 is transmitted to the PC (100) and stored in the storage unit 106 of the PC (100). The update confirmation software stored in the storage unit 106 of the PC (100) and controlled by the control unit 104 and resident during the operation of the PC (100) has not been updated in the Web content of the recommended URL list. Is confirmed at a preset time (may be a date and time) (may be confirmed periodically at preset times). When the update confirmation software of the PC (100) confirms that the Web content has been updated, the PC (100) displays a pop-up display on the display unit 101 indicating that the recommended URL list Web content has been updated. Is done. The user of the PC (100) can determine whether or not to print the Web content after confirming that the Web content of the recommended URL list has been updated by the pop-up display displayed on the display unit 101.

  As a process for confirming the update of the recommended URL list Web content stored in the recommended URL list storage function 853, when the Web content is updated on the Web server 4 side or the FTP server 5 side existing on the Internet. It is also possible to transmit the fact of update confirmation to the proxy server 400. In that case, of course, the Web server 4 or the FTP server 5 stores and executes a program that transmits the fact of the update confirmation to the proxy server 400 when the Web content is updated.

  The content automatic printing system 10 has been described so that the feature words extracted by the proxy server 400 are transmitted to the content database server 300, and the content database server 300 creates a recommended URL list based on the feature words. After the proxy server 400 extracts the feature words, the proxy server 400 uses the Web function 804 to input the extracted feature words into a search engine (for example, Google, Yahoo) on the Internet 2 and perform a search. As a result, it is possible to create a recommended URL list using the retrieved URLs as recommended URLs. In that case, a recommended URL list can be created with a predetermined number of URLs as recommended URLs from the top of the search result by the search engine.

  9, when Web content is printed according to an instruction from a user operating the image forming apparatus 200 or the PC (100) in the processing of Step 911 or Step 915 in FIG. 9, the user or the printed Web content is stored in the HDD 205. Alternatively, the information is stored in the storage unit 105 of the PC (100), the storage unit 302 of the content database server 300, or the storage unit 403 of the proxy server 400, and the stored information is displayed for the next recommended URL of the user, Alternatively, it can be used for updating a database stored in the storage unit 300 of the content database server 300. When used for displaying the next recommended URL of the user, for example, when displaying the recommended URL list of the user by EWS (including notification of the recommended URL list by e-mail) The Web content which is instructed to be printed by the user and stored in the HDD 205 or the like is displayed in a preferentially conspicuous place (displayed at the top of the list display). When the database is used for updating the database, first, a feature word extraction function 252 (stored in the storage unit 403) of the image forming apparatus 200 from a Web content instructed to be printed by the user and stored in the HDD 205, the storage unit 403, or the like. A feature word extraction function 802) extracts a plurality of feature words from the Web content. If the recommended URL corresponding to the extracted feature word is not recorded in the database of the content database 300, the Web content that is instructed to be printed by the user and stored in the HDD 205, the storage unit 403, or the like is extracted. The database is updated by recording in the database as a recommended URL corresponding to the feature word.

  When the update confirmation function 805 described with reference to FIG. 8 performs the update confirmation, the update confirmation function 805 confirms the update of the recommended URL and confirms that the update has been newly performed. Each operation described as a predetermined operation of the proxy server 400 performed in step 915 described with reference to FIG.

  The proxy server 400 has been described as having a configuration in which an HTML document of the Web content is converted into PDL data and sent to the image forming apparatus 200 when the Web content is printed on the image forming apparatus 200. When a program capable of directly interpreting Web content data (HTML document or the like) is set in 200, the proxy server 400 transmits the Web content HTML document to the image forming apparatus 200 as it is without converting it into PDL. be able to.

  The recommended URL list storage function 803 has been described so that the recommended URL list created based on the feature word of the Web content that the user has instructed to print is stored, but the recommended URL list storage function 803 stores the recommended URL list in the created recommended URL list. You may make it memorize | store, adding URL of the web content which the user instruct | indicated printing.

  The present invention can be used in an automatic content updating system, an image forming apparatus, and a proxy server.

1 Content Automatic Printing System 2 Internet 3 Communication Line 4 Web Server 5 FTP Server 100 PC
106 Printer Driver 107 Web Browser 200 Image Forming Device 205 HDD
206 Display / Operation Unit 251 Content Information Acquisition Function 252 Feature Word Extraction Function 253 Recommended URL List Storage Function 254 Web Function 255 Update Confirmation Function 300 Gomnetz Database Server 303 Storage Unit 10 Content Automatic Printing System 400 Proxy Server 403 Storage Unit 404 Printer Driver 801 Content information acquisition function 802 Feature word extraction function 803 Recommended URL list storage function 804 Web function 805 Update confirmation function 806 Print function

Claims (26)

A browsing terminal on which content on the Internet is browsed by an operator, and a database,
Content information acquisition means for acquiring information of the content browsed on the browsing terminal;
Feature word extraction means for extracting a feature word representing the feature of the content based on the information acquired by the content information acquisition means,
The database is
Recommended content determination means for determining recommended content that is content on the Internet recommended for the operator based on the feature word extracted by the feature word extraction means;
URL storage means for storing the URL of the recommended content determined by the recommended content determination means in correspondence with the operator;
An automatic content update system comprising: update confirmation means for confirming an update of the content connected by the URL stored in the URL storage means. The content information acquisition means includes
Obtaining the title of the content viewed on the browsing terminal or the text of the content;
The feature word extraction means includes
The content automatic update system according to claim 1, wherein the feature words are extracted based on the title or the text. The database is
Storage means for storing in advance the content corresponding to the feature word;
The recommended content determination means is:
The content automatic update system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein recommended content is determined by selecting the content corresponding to the feature word extracted by the feature word extraction unit from the storage unit. The storage means
The content automatic update system according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of the contents corresponding to the feature words are stored. The storage means
The content automatic update system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the content corresponding to a plurality of the feature words is stored. The update confirmation means includes
The content automatic update system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the update is confirmed periodically. The update confirmation means includes
The content automatic update system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the update is confirmed at a predetermined time. An image forming apparatus that performs printing;
The browsing terminal is
Print data transmitting means for transmitting print data for printing the content viewed by the operator and identification information of the operator to the image forming apparatus;
The image forming apparatus includes:
The content information acquisition means for acquiring information of the content browsed by the operator on the browsing terminal based on the print data transmitted by the print data transmission means;
The feature word extraction means for extracting a feature word representing the feature of the content based on the content information acquired by the content information acquisition means;
Feature word transmission means for transmitting the feature words extracted by the feature word extraction means to the database;
Receiving the recommended content determined by the recommended content determining means included in the database from the database, and storing the URL of the recommended content corresponding to the operator;
A connection means for connecting to the Internet;
The update confirmation means for confirming the update of the content by connecting to the Internet by the connection means;
The recommended content determination means possessed by the database is:
The content automatic update system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the recommended content is determined based on a feature word transmitted by the feature word transmission unit. The content information acquisition means includes
The information on the content is acquired from a connection destination by connecting to the URL on the Internet by the connection unit based on the URL of the content included in the print data of the content transmitted by the print data transmission unit. The content automatic update system described. The image forming apparatus includes:
The content automatic update according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising: update page printing means for acquiring and printing page information of the content for which the update has been confirmed when the update of the content is confirmed by the update confirmation means. system. The image forming apparatus includes:
Update page transmission means for acquiring page information of the content for which the update has been confirmed and transmitting the page information to the viewing terminal by e-mail when the update confirmation means confirms the update of the content. The content automatic update system according to claim 8 or 9. The image forming apparatus includes:
Server,
The content automatic update according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising: a server registration unit that registers, in the server, a list of the content that has been confirmed to be updated when the update confirmation unit confirms the update of the content. system. The browsing terminal is
The content automatic update system according to claim 12, further comprising: a display unit that connects to the server included in the image forming apparatus and displays a list of the content registered by the server registration unit. The image forming apparatus includes:
The content automatic update system according to claim 12 or 13, further comprising display means for displaying a list of the contents registered by the server registration means on a display unit. A proxy server for connecting on behalf of the browsing terminal to content on the Internet that the operator has instructed to browse;
The proxy server is
Receiving means for receiving, from the browsing terminal, a browsing request for content instructed by the operator and identification information of the operator;
Page information acquisition means for connecting to the content on the Internet based on the browsing request received by the reception means and acquiring page information of the content;
Page information transmission means for transmitting the page information acquired by the page information acquisition means to the browsing terminal;
The content information acquisition means for acquiring information of the content browsed by the operator on the browsing terminal based on the page information acquired by the page information acquisition means;
The feature word extraction means for extracting a feature word representing the feature of the content based on the content information acquired by the content information acquisition means;
Feature word transmission means for transmitting the feature words extracted by the feature word extraction means to the database;
Receiving the URL of the recommended content determined by the recommended content determination unit of the database from the database, and storing the URL of the recommended content content corresponding to the operator;
The update confirmation means, and
The recommended content determination means of the database includes:
Determining the recommended content based on the feature word sent by the feature word sending means;
The browsing terminal is
8. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that receives the page information transmitted by the page information transmission unit and displays the content instructed to browse by the operator on a display unit based on the page information. Automatic content update system. An image forming apparatus that performs printing;
The proxy server is
When the update confirmation unit confirms the update of the content, the update confirmation unit further includes a transmission unit that transmits page information of the content whose update has been confirmed to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
The content automatic update system according to claim 15, wherein the page information transmitted by the transmission unit is received and the content is printed. The proxy server is
Conversion means for converting the data into print data printable by the image forming apparatus,
The transmission means includes
When the update of the content is confirmed by the update confirmation unit, the page information of the content confirmed to be updated is converted into print data by the conversion unit and transmitted to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
The content automatic update system according to claim 15, wherein the content is printed by receiving the print data transmitted by the transmission unit. The proxy server is
The update page transmitting means for transmitting the page information of the content for which the update has been confirmed to the viewing terminal by e-mail when the update of the content is confirmed by the update confirming means. Automatic content update system. The page information is
The content automatic update system according to any one of claims 10 to 11, or claims 15 to 18, which is file data or HTML data exchanged by FTP. The proxy server is
The content automatic update system according to claim 16, further comprising: a content list storage / storing unit that stores and saves a list of the content whose update has been confirmed when the update of the content is confirmed by the update confirmation unit. The browsing terminal is
21. The content automatic update system according to claim 20, further comprising: a content list display unit that connects to the proxy server and displays a list of the content stored and stored by the content list storage and storage unit of the proxy server. The image forming apparatus includes:
21. The content automatic update system according to claim 20, further comprising: a content list display unit that connects to the proxy server and displays a list of the content stored and stored by the content list storage and storage unit of the proxy server. Receiving means for receiving print data of content on the Internet browsed by an operator on a viewing terminal;
Content information acquisition means for acquiring information of the content viewed by the operator based on print data received by the reception means;
Feature word extraction means for extracting a feature word representing the feature of the content based on the content information acquired by the content information acquisition means;
Feature word transmitting means for transmitting the feature words extracted by the feature word extracting means to a database connected by a communication line;
Recommended content receiving means for receiving, from the database, recommended content that is content on the Internet recommended to the operator determined based on the feature words in the database;
URL storage means for storing the URL of the recommended content received by the recommended content receiving means corresponding to the operator;
A connection means for connecting to the Internet;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an update confirmation unit that connects to the Internet by the connection unit and confirms an update of the recommended content stored in the URL storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising an update page printing unit that acquires and prints page information of the content for which the update has been confirmed when the update of the content is confirmed by the update confirmation unit. . A browsing request receiving means for receiving from the browsing terminal a browsing request for content on the Internet instructed by the operator at the browsing terminal and the identification information of the operator;
Page information acquisition means for connecting to the content on the Internet based on the browsing request received by the browsing request receiving means and acquiring page information of the content;
Page information transmission means for transmitting page information of the content acquired by the page information acquisition means to the browsing terminal;
Content information acquisition means for acquiring information on the content viewed by the operator on the browsing terminal based on the page information acquired by the page information acquisition means;
Feature word extraction means for extracting a feature word representing the feature of the content based on the content information acquired by the content information acquisition means;
Feature word transmitting means for transmitting the feature words extracted by the feature word extracting means to a database connected via a communication line;
Recommended content receiving means for receiving, from the database, recommended content that is content on the Internet recommended to the operator determined based on the feature words in the database;
URL storage means for storing the URL of the recommended content received by the recommended content receiving means corresponding to the operator;
A proxy server comprising: update confirmation means for confirming an update of the recommended content stored in the URL storage means. When update of the content is confirmed by the update confirmation unit, page information of the content confirmed to be updated is converted into print data that can be printed by an image forming apparatus connected through a communication line, and the image The proxy server according to claim 25, further comprising: print data transmission means for transmitting to the forming apparatus.

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